Sanctuary: Thriving in Ministry

Since 2018, with generous funding of $1,500,000 by Lilly Endowment Inc., Pepperdine University has participated in their Thriving in Ministry initiative, an effort to help ministers flourish in their roles as pastoral leaders.

Pepperdine's participation in this initiative is led by Mike Cope, director of ministry outreach. "Every occupation has its challenges, but there are some unique twists that come along for ministers," said Cope, who spent 35 years of his life in the ministry profession. He emphasized that he chose the term "Sanctuary" for Pepperdine's initiative to describe the importance of trusted friendships that form in the annual groups.

"Close friendships aren't just a serendipity of the program," according to Cope. "They are at the core of what these groups are about. That's why there is so much time together just having fun and sharing life."

Each year, a small group of Church of Christ ministers in a specific region participates in a Sanctuary Cohort, meeting with each other and learning from outside professionals and consultants in order to thrive in their ministry. The four central areas of focus are: spiritual formation, friendship, emotional maturity, and self-care.

Thriving in Ministry builds upon recent studies that examined the common professional and personal challenges pastors face, including the Lilly-funded Flourishing in Ministry research project.

"We have received many reports from pastors about the changing demands of serving as a pastoral leader today," said Christopher L. Coble, the Endowment's vice president for religion. "Many pastors are seeking to find role models and wise colleagues who can guide them through professional transitions and challenges encountered in particular ministry contexts. Our hope is that the initiative will support a new wave of efforts that help clergy thrive and lead their congregations more effectively."

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family—J. K. Lilly, Sr., and sons J. K., Jr. and Eli—through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders' wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.